News and Events

In addition to providing grants to organizations and individuals, the Marshall Home Fund supports and participates in various town activities that promote the well-being of older adults.

Performing Arts and Intergenerational Programs Offered to Watertown's Older Residents This Fall
Watertown’s older residents had many opportunities to engage in a variety of free, enriching and engaging activities this fall, thanks to several local organizations the Marshall Home Fund spports. 

Page to Stage: With funding from the MHF, New Repertory Theater’s Associate Artistic Director, Bridget Kathleen O’Leary, was able to offer a free 5-session workshop for residents 55+, focused on all aspects of directing and producing the play “Oleanna,” by David Mamet.  Premiered in 1992, the play’s theme of sexual harassment made it well-suited to the kind of engaging, lively discussions O’Leary encourages among workshop participants. In addition to the 5 sessions, which were held at the Senior Center, participants had the opportunity to attend the production. Feedback from participants:

I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will never view a plan the same way in the future. Bridget Kathleen O'Leary is the consummate teacher! She brings her experience as a director and teacher to open the mind of the participants to infinite possiblities.

I would not have seen this play without your sponsorship. Bridget's brilliant teaching gift tore open and unpacked the complexities of this work [Oleanna], as timely as today's headlines. I am better for this.

Halloween Happening at Brigham House: The residents of the Brigham House teamed with the MHF-funded Watertown Family Network to provide a triple-fun Halloween event for young children.  The costumed kids started in the Brigham House’s Music Room where a band and singing puppets taught songs and games, then moved to a Glitter Room to decorate ornaments, and ended by receiving trick-or-treat bags the residents had filled for their visitors. 

Chamber Music at the Brigham House: Residents were treated to an hour of chamber music performed by area high school students trained at the Lexington Chamber Music Center. The audience was clearly moved by what Director Randy Hiller describes as the “common shared pulse” of the four chamber music performers who are trained to listen and respond to each other rather than rely on a conductor.  

MHF Board Member Writes about the Affordable Housing Crunch in Watertown
Amy McCreath, Pastor of the Church of the Good Shephard and a member of the MHF Board, used her blog to describe what she learned on a recent visit the board made to the E. Joyce Munger Senior Apartments.  Read her blog, Living Water(town), to learn more about the important and complex issue of providing affordable housing to Watertown residents.

Watertown Cable Access Focus on Watertown Features MHF
Jim Vershbow interviewed co-president Carole Katz, and board members Seda Aghamianz and Will Twombly about the history of the fund and the types of grants that we provide.
View the show.

Watertown for All Ages
We are a member Watertown for All Ages, a town-wide collaboration of individuals and organizations that promotes and encourages multi-generational activites.  WAA is working to help Watertown become an Age Friendly Community. On November 30, 2017, WAA co-sponsored an Age Friendly Forum to gather residents' suggestions for making Watertown a more age friendly community for all its residents.  For further information, contact the Watertown Senior Center at (617) 972-6490.

Next MHF Board Meeting
July 12, 2018 at 4:00 PM
Location: Perkins School for the Blind